Today was the last day of French classes. We all "graduated," but at different levels. I passed the A2 level, which was better than some, not as far as others. I'm pleased.
Lunched with Duncan, Walid, and Sola (Brit, Lybian, and South Korean, respectively) at a Korean restaurant. We talked politics, linguistics (it's hard not to), culture, and education in French. Duncan and I thought it was notable how our class bonded, even though we hadn't known each other that long (yes, I should add sociology to the above list...). It's broadening to say that I have met and befriended people from such diverse countries, cultures, and religions.
Speaking of which, I got a new housemate this week, Cagaty, a Turk who knows English and is studying French. We went to the Parc Tete D'or last night and walked around. There was an elaborate theatre production going on there, but we couldn't understand the French poetry.
In anticipation of one of Dad's probable questions... my favorite thing to do in Lyon was sitting out at the cafes, reading and sipping expresso. French culture seems to me quite compatable with my own. The people tend to be a bit proud, and some students think them cold, but they love to socialize and not take life too seriously.
I head to the seaport of Marseille tomorrow for CEM, a week of intensive Bible study and application. Yes, that's about as much as I know too. It should be a blast.
Photos to come... once I steal them from friends' facebook albums.
Trip's half over!
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What is the A2 level? Do you plan to keep up with your new friends.
ReplyDeleteWe are in Red River at the family encampment.
Harold
A level is divided into A1 & A2 (maybe A3?)... there are 3 levels of learning French A-C. So, at least it means that I wasn't passing the lowest level.
ReplyDeleteI hope to keep up with my friend from here. One of the handy things about facebook.
How is the sea? We have rain here at Red River. We are eating with Phillip and Linda Patterson tonight. We talked to Tony Ash today.
ReplyDeleteHarold
Sounds like you did talk sociology...the theory I've been teaching this week would explain why you bonded (The Theory of Social Commitments).
ReplyDeleteIt says that when a group comes together for instrumental reasons (like taking a class) and people have interdependencies (helping each other learn the language), and when the network is positively connected (meaning you learning more French doesn't preclude and may even help others learn it) that the exchanged between people will produce mild and good emotions and these will lead to affective solidarity, cohesion, and commitment to the group as a whole, and/or specific people who had more of those exchanges/interactions.
Anyway, I've been busy teaching so I'm catching up on your blog finally! - Daniel